Diabetes practices and regimens can vary between countries, hospitals / clinics, & specialists.  Therefore what may be encouraged in one setting may not be so recommended in another.  This insulin tutorial is not meant to provide a didactic (regimented / fixed) plan for using insulin.  Rather the tutorial intends to show some ways of doing things, and provide some explanations as to why things may be done in a certain way.  Furthermore it is hoped that this tutorial may encourage people to think a bit more about what insulin regimens are possible, & how they might be improved and / or tailored for an individual.  In all this remember that people's mileage may vary - so what works for one person may not be appropriate for someone else.  Therefore, as with all medical information on the Web, it is important that you consult your doctor or diabetes specialist before considering acting on any of the information discussed in this tutorial.


Insulin Tutorial 3-4
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"Extra carbohydrates"


When you are going to some sporting event and expect to engage in physical exercise it is sensible to eat

"Extra carbohydrates".
It is impossible to predict how much carbohydrate you will need for any particular kind of exercise.

That is something that you will simply have to find out for yourself.

It is true that there is a general 'rule' which says that for half an hour of physical exertion one might need 12 grams of carbohydrate, but in each individual case that could be different.

All the same, let us just try out this general 'rule'.

What ought I to eat? 12 grams of carbohydrate from the bread group or from the fruit group?


A sensible question!

If the physical exercise is going to start off suddenly and be very vigorous, it would be better to take 12 grams of carbohydrate from the fruit group, for instance an apple or a banana.

However, if it is steady exercise going on for a longer time (football, dancing, tennis, etc.) then it is better to eat 12 grams of carbohydrate from the bread group, for instance a roll and butter or some bread and cheese.

To be prepared for unexpected or unplanned physical exercise you should always carry some sugar on you. (A few glucose tablets or a few lumps of sugar).

Then, if you should have an episode of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) you should be able to treat it yourself in good time.

Diabetes Insulin Tutorial
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The information presented at this site is for general use only and is not intended to provide personal medical advice or substitute for the advice of your doctor or diabetes specialist. If you have any questions about any of the information presented here, concerns about individual health matters or the management of your diabetes, please consult your doctor or diabetes specialist
The material in this on-line Diabetes / Insulin Tutorial has been drawn from a number of different sources.
However the original Web-based version can be found at the AIDA Website at: http://www.2aida.org/tutorial.

AIDA diabetes software simulator program of glucose-insulin interaction